I have occassionally highlighted the well known Brian Chan. His knowledge is apparent, but I have an added touch to this: several times I have reached out to Brian and without hesitation he has provided precise information about how certain stillwater insects act subsurface and how the trout act early in the year. He did not know me from Earl….but, he graciously helped. A true gentleman.
Here I offer up some stillwater insect info from Brian Chan’s site Rise Form Ventures . There is a very good, basic over view of stillwater insects.
SwittersB & Exploring 
Thank you. Something to remember is a fly fox or individual fly for the camera is a culmination of quite a few flies….not all tied perfectly yet suitable to fish. The shot was staged for a perfect shot (one of my favorite…thanks to Tim Barker). Not all my flies turn out so well. An example…for me….if I am tying a dozen flies for a box say for a raffle/auction…I want them all the same and flawless. I may tie half a dozen or more extra flies that are not quite the same as the previous, “perfect” ones. An excellent tier will do the same with ease…I struggle and it does not matter. It takes time to perfect your tying…years….relax and enjoy the past time and know that many of your not so good patterns will catch fish…the intent..right? Enjoy…
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Do you fish those copper john’s on stillwaters?
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Scott,
Actually I have done pretty good with the green CJ’s…I have not faired so well with the traditional CJ. My son fishes the standard Copper John and Lightning Bug and does well. I have fished them shallow (<10') and worked the edges of the lake. I prefer more traditional Callibaeitis patterns for the mayfly (my prevalent lake mayfly + a few hex's). I don’t want to totally (just slightly) mislead though; the box was put together for the beginning of the season and I probably had way more of each fly than I normally would…I wanted the shot pretty. It was. But, I would normally have a lot more Buggers and Dragons etc., but they don't shoot as defined and pretty. Hope this rambling response helps.
Gary
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Very nice photo. Do you carry that many of one pattern on the water?
Gordon
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Initially all is organized and tidy…in time I fail to maintain. That shot was for demo more than anything but that was a working fly box at the beginning of the season. I carry many boxes onto a lake. In the end, I fish maybe a dozen patterns I am comfortable. When, the puzzle is not so easily solved I start the perusal of all the boxes. I enjoy it. I know I carry too much. For a river I carry two fly boxes (nymphs & dry/ermergers). I need to incorporate more streamers this year.
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Very nice photo.
Gordon
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